Written by Laois PR Team
The Laois senior hurlers will play Down away in the Round 2 game of the Joe McDonagh Cup on Saturday April 26th, with throw in at 1.30pm in Ballycran.
Tickets can be purchased both online and in person using the following options below.
Tickets can be purchased online here: https://am.ticketmaster.com/gaa/joemcdonagh2025
**Please note that juvenile u16 tickets cost 5 euro and must be purchased alongside an adult ticket for entry.**
Tickets can be purchased in person via selected participating SuperValu stores:
SuperValu Stradbally
Breslin’s SuperValu Rathdowney
McConville’s SuperValu Mountmellick
McLoughlin’s SuperValu Portarlington
Mulhall’s SuperValu Portlaoise
SuperValu Abbeyleix
SuperValu Parkside Portlaoise.
Follow live match scores and updates on our official CLG Laois Twitter account: @CLGLaois.
Manager Tommy Fitzgerald has named the following side to face Westmeath:
Recent Laois Stats: vs Westmeath
Ben Conroy scored his 4th ever Laois senior inter county championship goal.
Mossy Keyes scored his 7th Laois senior inter county championship goal.
Mossy Keyes total score of 1-8 (11 pts) brought his total score for Laois so far to 41 points. Mossy Keyes first free vs Westmeath was his 1st ever point from a placed ball scored for Laois. He brought his Laois total to 0-4 from placed balls on the day for Laois after 0-3 frees and one 65.
Mossy became the 39th known player to score 11+ points in a hurling championship match. The first was Jim Carroll (Kilcotton) in 1914.
Paddy Purcell extended his own championship scoring record from play.
Ryan Mullaney made his 80th league and championship appearance when he came on against Westmeath last week. He is the 26th Laois hurler to reach this mark.
The goals broke our unprecedented three-match goalless run in the championship.
It also broke our three-match SHC/NHL/WC goalless run, which was our first such run since 2006.
Round 1 Recap:
Laois: 3-25
Westmeath: 1-22
Laois: Tomas Keyes 1-8 (0-3 frees, 0-1 65), Ben Conroy 1-2, Paddy Purcell and Jer Quinlan 0-4 each, Cha Dwyer 1-0, David Dooley 0-2, Martin Phelan, James Duggan, Jordan Walshe, Aidan Corby and Podge Delaney 0-1 each
Westmeath: Killian Doyle 1-11 (1-6 frees), Peter Clarke 0-5, David O’Reilly 0-2, Robbie Greville, Niall O’Brien, Eamon Cuneen (65) and David Williams 0-1 each
Standout Players (Laois)
David Dooley had his best ever performance for Laois as he was absolutely outstanding at left half forward. Total 0-2.
David Dooley won Westmeath puckouts. With a great run and quick flick to Podge Delaney, Dooley directly set up Delaney for Laois’ opening score and set the tone for the rest of Dooley’s brilliant performance, contributing massively to Laois’ win by setting up teammates scores with great skill.
Dooley displayed incredible pace carrying the sliotar on his hurl, as he ran through and opened up the Westmeath defence. Dooley had a goal chance prevented only by good Westmeath defensive work. Dooley set up Paddy Purcell with a point from play. Dooley’s work rate in midfield during Westmeath puckouts was very impressive and won even more puckouts and possession brilliantly in the 2nd half also.
Cody Comerford was a vital defender as he made two perfectly timed interceptions from David O’Reilly to prevent scores. Lee Cleere made an fantastic defensive hook on Niall Mitchell to prevent a certain Westmeath goal at a vital time to keep Laois in the game and go on to win. Cody Comerford scooped up the ball quickly, after Lee Cleere’s hook and then helped to clear, his long strike set up Mossy Keyes goal from play at the other end. Lee Cleere made another goal saving tackle on Niall O’Brien.
Mossy Keyes: Total 1-8, was exeptionally accurate in free taking duties. With 0-4 scored from placed balls. 0-3 frees and one 65. Mossy displayed great composure throughout, as he handled the pressure of stepping over frees for his county and also scoring his first ever frees for Laois with confidence and ease.
Mossy Keyes brilliantly done the hard work beating defenders and setting up Paddy Purcell with his point from play, from a great wide angle. Keyes scored his goal from play after a lovely turnover from Cody Comerford in the back line. Outstanding skill was displayed throughout by Mossy. In possession, when he spun round the outside of his opponent just inside the 65 m line, he then struck from the same distance and scored massive long range point from play.
Down
Joe McDonagh Cup Round 1 Result:
Carlow: 6-23
Down: 0-20
Standout Players:
Caolan Taggart: A strong defender who has been a rock in the Down backline. Known for his consistency and leadership. Also scored 0-1 vs Carlow last week.
Matt Conlon: Brings physicality and drive from the half-back line. Key in breaking down opposition attacks.
In attack: the trio of Tom McGrattan, Pearse Og McCrickard and Tim Prenter all racked up massive total scores in their recent Division 2 campaign where they won the title.
Tom McGrattan: League Total 4-56 (40 frees and five 65’s) also scored 0-8 (6 frees, two 65’s) vs Carlow last week.
Pearse Og McCrickard: League Total 2-22 (6 frees) also scored 0-4 from play vs Carlow.
Tim Prenter: League Total 4-11 (1 free) also scored 0-1 vs Carlow.
By Laois PRO Fri 25th Apr
